Ryan Burns

Head of Venture Capital @innovationbay formerly @firstround , @generatecapital , @australia_tsn

[Ryan Burns @burns_ryan_au]

My 2025 Hot Takes That Nobody Asked For:

👼🏻 Pull up diapers- YES
🦁 The Dyson V15 for Chow Chows- YES
🏈 NFL games at 3AM Australia Time- NO
📈 In 2026, M&A will surge, IPOs will return, LPs will finally see liquidity & raising capital for both VCs and startups will get easier

[Ryan Burns @burns_ryan_au]

🇦🇺 Australia is punching way above its weight in venture:
🔹 #1 globally in unicorns per VC $
🔹 #2 fastest-growing startup ecosystem
🔹 Top 5 in decacorn creation
🔹 Top 10 in exit value — before Canva’s IPO

You can download the entire report here: https://t.co/bW7L2A232n

[Ryan Burns @burns_ryan_au]

A founder asked me how is he supposed to get aligned with his other co founders as they are all so different in their skill sets. I told him to watch Cool Runnings, also its 4C in Melbourne today I'm freezin' my royal, Rastafarian nay-nays off!

[Ryan Burns @burns_ryan_au]

Join us in August, over 100 VCs, major speakers, and a few surprises I have up my sleeve #venturedownunder https://t.co/b1sYWtweh6

[Ryan Burns @burns_ryan_au]

If you are in Sydney next week we would love to see you https://t.co/e9aCz1XiLl

[Ryan Burns @burns_ryan_au]

Just launched our junior VC program, hosting in Sydney on May 7th. Limited spots available, check it out: https://t.co/e9aCz1XiLl

[Ryan Burns @burns_ryan_au]

@sama the image feature is getting really great, asked for this picture in watercolor 👏

[Todd Jackson @tjack]

B2B sales is hitting a ceiling with the “more is more” approach (more data, more emails, more calls). But the best sellers have always known that quality beats quantity.

I’ve worked with the @actively_ai team super closely since leading their seed in early 2022, and I can tell you firsthand that @mgarimella and @agupta_108 are intensely focused on substance and real results, not volume and hype. (For example, they never even announced their seed. 😆)

Unlike the many AI sales assistants or copilots that layer basic AI or signals on top of a single rep’s knowledge and deliver shallow personalization and relevance, Actively trains a custom reasoning model for each company. That means replicating the strategic depth of your best seller, not running a “spray and pray” play with an (at best mid) AI SDR.

This results in AI that doesn’t just automate or assist, but reasons to make the best possible decisions. It picks up on the nuances of your business and synthesizes millions of data points about every prospect — from your custom Salesforce fields to minute 27 of a demo call where someone mentioned renewal dates — to determine who to target, when to reach out, and why.

What's been particularly impressive is how they've built for and alongside elite revenue teams. They've worked hand-in-hand with organizations like Ramp, Ironclad, Navan, Dialpad, and Verkada, not just collecting logos, but creating a product that revenue teams truly need to drive hundreds of millions in added revenue.

Congrats to the team on their Series A milestone today! It’s well-deserved, and there’s much more to come.

More details below.

[Ryan Burns @burns_ryan_au]

🧠 100+ insights. Straight from the minds of Australia's top VCs.
For founders who want to build, grow, and win — this one’s for you.
No fluff. Just hard-earned, actionable advice.
👇 Read it now:
https://t.co/SE239fIvWJ

[Ryan Burns @burns_ryan_au]

@joshk @firstround 😂

[Ryan Burns @burns_ryan_au]

Had a great time at @innovationbay Aurora Retreat and also at @_southstart in Adelaide last week. Really enjoying my new role as VC Community Manager for The Aurora Community, Australia's largest community of VC investors!

[First Round @firstround]

We’re hiring a Chief of Staff to work closely with First Round Partner @btrenchard!

This is a special opportunity to work at the intersection of early-stage startups and venture, supporting the next wave of cutting-edge founders. This is a behind-the-scenes role that will get unique insight into the 0 to 1 startup journey.

As Bill’s right hand, you’ll take on key projects, streamline workflows, and work across all functions of the partnership to ensure priorities are executed effectively — from driving investment diligence to supporting founders within the First Round community.

📍 Location: Based in San Francisco, with at least 3 days/week in-office.

This is an ideal role for someone who thrives on execution, is deeply organized, and enjoys being in the details to make big things happen. If that sounds like you, apply or help us spread the word: https://t.co/jkP4FAhQUv

[Ryan Burns @burns_ryan_au]

@elonmusk For some reason in Australia people literally post every single day, with selfies, about anything and everything

[Ryan Burns @burns_ryan_au]

@zebriez @firstround https://t.co/Y1o87b4U4l this review article is great

[Ryan Burns @burns_ryan_au]

@Dodgers fans mood right now lol

[Josh Kopelman @joshk]

Wow! @KiwiCo_inc has passed $1 Billion in lifetime revenue. The company only raised $10M in VC financing -- and has been self-financing itself for the last 10 years. So impressed by @sandraohlin's consistent execution, focus and willpower to ignore the VC industry's vanity metrics!

https://t.co/pGLX4QnkkN

[The Startup Network @australia_tsn]

Amazing founders, expert judges and an incredible community. Join us tomorrow night! https://t.co/pIDCHtvd9V

[Ryan Burns @burns_ryan_au]

Really pumped about this pitch night we are hosting tomorrow night. Another set of amazing founders, this time working on problems in the health and well being sector! Some tickets are still available! https://t.co/xkCVx9hkwQ

[The Startup Network @australia_tsn]

This pitch night we have some founders that truly are going to change the world. Tickets are still available, get yours now https://t.co/pIDCHtvd9V

[The Startup Network @australia_tsn]

Please join us for an amazing pitch night! Quantum Security, Divorce Tech, Safe Driving for Truck Drivers, and Slack for Universities! Amazing founders, amazing partner in @latrobe and our amazing community. See you on Tuesday! https://t.co/eAHUM8whvf

[The Startup Network @australia_tsn]

🎓 Davin Karunanayake is fighting student isolation with Huddled, a platform creating inclusive higher-ed communities. Catch his pitch at The Startup Network’s Pitch Night https://t.co/eAHUM8whvf